Window jack



Feb. 15, 1955 J c, BOLTON 2,702,210

WINDOW JACK Filed May 5, 1949 United States Patent WINDOW JACK Joseph C. Bolton, Mobile, Ala.

Application May 5, 1949, Serial No. 91,529

6 Claims. (Cl. 304-27) This invention relates to a window jack, and more particularly to a device of this nature in the form of a portable scaffold for use in the glazing of steel and similar casement windows.

The types of window jacks in common use are quite disadvantageous. For example, with the old type wooden jack, part of the device must protrude through the lower portion of the window, that is, through window pane openings in the lower part of the window. With such a device, the glazier could install all of the panes except those intended to be placed in the openings through which portions of the jack projects. When the upper panes were installed, the glazier would have to come inside the building and remove the jack, thus requiring the use of extension ladders, swinging stages, or other apparatus for completing the glazing operations. The method involved accordingly is quite slow and the labor expense is substantial.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel window jack of simple construction which may be quickly and easily placed in position and which permits a glazier to install panes of glass in all of the pane-receiving openings of steel and similar casement and projected type windows.

A further object is to provide a window jack of the character referred to which is effectively anchored in position against the outside of a building without projecting any portion of the jack through a pane-receiving opening of the window, thus leaving all such openings free and unobstructed for the completion of a glazing operation from the exterior of the building without removing the jack.

A further object is to provide such a window jack wherein the frame of a casement, projected or similar type window is utilized forthe anchoring of the jack in position against the outside of the building and wherein the nature of the structure is such that the windows may be almost entirely closed to facilitate the glazing operation.

A further object is to provide a novel structure including separable jack bodies adapted to be easily sepparately placed in position from the interior of the building and to provide a scaffold board or boards detachably connectible across the jack bodies to provide a working platform and to anchor the jack bodies against swinging movement toward and away from each other.

A further object is to provide a novel type of clip through which the window jack is engageable with the vertical and bottom frame members of a window opening to anchor the window jack in position during operation.

A further object is to provide a reversible type of frame-engaging clip whereby the window jack is capable of use with any type of projected windows having arms which would interfere with the use of the end of the clip normally employed for engaging the window frame.

A further object is to provide novel means for adjusting the bottom of the jack for engagement against the outer face of the wall of a building the windows of which are provided with projecting sills.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawing, I have shown three embodiments of the invention. In this showing,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device looking from the side thereof which is arranged against the outer face of the wall of a building,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device, a portion of the window structure being shown with the vertically extending portions thereof shown in section,

Figure 3 is a section taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 2, showing the position of the device with respect to the face of the wall and the frame of the window,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the supporting clips,

Figure 5 is a detailed sectional view on line 5-5 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a detailed perspective view of a modified type of window frame engaging clip, and

Figure 7 is a. fragmentary detailed perspective view of a further modification showing an adjustable wall-engaging foot adapted for use at the bottom of each end of the'jack.

Referring particularly to Figure 1, the numeral 10 indicates as a whole each of a pair of jack bodies adapted to be arranged adjacent the respective sides of a window, as further described below. Except for the left and right hand arrangement of the supporting clips described in detail below, the jacks are identical with each other and only one need be described.

Each jack body comprises a vertical post 11 adapted to be arranged against the outer face of a wall of a building, the plane of which is indicated by the numeral 12 in Figures 2 and 3. Each post is notched at opposite sides as at 13 to receive opposite pairs of horizontal struts 14, the struts of each pair being spaced from each other as at 15. Preferably three pairs of struts are secured to each post 11, and wing nut bolts 16 are preferably employed for securing each pair of struts to the posts 11. With the struts seated in the recesses 13 and with the wing nut bolts tightened, the struts 14 are fixed in position relative to the posts 11.

At their opposite ends, the pairs of struts of each jack member receive therebetween a downwardly and inwardly inclined brace 18 secured in position by wing nut bolts 19. The brace 18 of each jack member serves to space the pairs of struts from each other and to act as spacers for the struts of each pair whereby the space 15 of each pair of struts is of uniform width from end to end. The upper end of each brace 18 projects somewhat above the uppermost struts 14 for a purpose to be described.

An anchoring clip indicated as a whole by the numeral 22 is provided for each jack member 10. Each clip 22 is provided with a flat elongated body 23 provided with a series of closely arranged openings 24. The body 23 of each clip is arranged against the inner face of the inner strut 14 of each upper pair, as suggested in Figures 1 and 2. The bolt for securing the upper pair of struts 14 to each post 11 extends through one of the openings 24, selected in accordance with the adjustment of the clips 22 as will become apparent. Spaced a substantial distance form such bolt 16 is another wing nut bolt 25 (Figure 2) also extending through a selected opening 24. Thus the clips are secured in position but are adjustable longitudinally thereof for a purpose to be described.

Adjacent its inner end, that is the end adjacent the building wall, each clip 22 has a preferably flat portion 26 extending at an angle to the body 23, the inclination of each portion 26 being toward the opposite jack member 10. In other words, the portions 26 of the two clips are inclined inwardly toward each other, as shown in Figure 1. At its lower edge, each clip portion 26 is provided with a substantially rectangular notch 27 for a purpose to be described.

The adjacent extremity of each clip is turned as at 29 to lie in a plane perpendicular to the body 23 as shown in Figure 2. When the clips are properly applied, the portions 29 of the two clips will lie in a common plane.

As previously stated, the present invention is particularly intended for use with metal casement and projected windows and the like. In the drawing, a portion of a metal casement window has been illustrated. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the numeral 32 designates the vertical portion of a steel window frame in which is mounted a casement window 33 having a vertical frame portion 34. The window is hinged as at 35 to swing outwardly. The window frame also includes a lower horizontal frame portion 36, and the frame portions 32 and 36 are provided 'wthi inner respectively vertical and horizontal flanges 37 and 38 lying in a common vertical plane. The inner end 29 of each clip engages against the inner face of the flange 37, while the notch 27 engages the upper edge of the flange 38, as shown in Figure 3. It is in the manner shown in Figures 2 and 3 that the clips engage the window frame portions when the jack members are separately placed in position, as will be further described below.

A plurality of scaffold boards 40, 41 and 42 is preferably employed in connection with the jack members 10. Only the upper board necessarily need be employed, but greater rigidity in the structure is secured by using two and preferably three of the "scaffold boards, as shown in Figure 1. Each of these scaffold boards is provided against its bottom surface and adjacent each end thereof with a cleat 44 (Figures 2 and These cleats preferably extend throughout the widths of the scaffold boards and are receivable in the spaces as shown in Figure 5. The cleat members anchor the jack members 10 against swinging movement toward and away from each other and serve as steps or platforms on which an operator stands in glazing a window.

The construction described above is wholly practicable and capable of eflicient use with most windows in modern buildings, including both casement windows and a number of the projected types. However, some buildings are provided with projected Window sills against which the vertical posts 11 will engage, thus spacing the bottom ends of such posts from the wall of the building. The modification of the invention shown in Figure 7 takes care of such condition, while a modified clip shown in Figure 6 is capable of use with substantially any type of window including the projecting types having pivoted arms which would interfere with the use of the form of clip described above.

Referring to Figure 6, the numeral 50 designates the modified type of clip one end of which is provided with an angularly arranged portion 51 notched in its bottom as at 52. The extremity of such end of the clip is turned to provide an end 53 perpendicular to the body of the clip. The elements 51, 52 and 53 correspond to the elements 26, 27 and 29, previously described.

The opposite end portion of the clip 50 has a section 55 bent obliquely and then a section 56 extending in a plane parallel to the body of the clip and terminating in an extremity 57 turned inwardly perpendicular to the section 56. A notch 58 is formed in the bottom of the section 56 for the same purpose as the notches 27 and 52, previously described. As is true in the form of the clip previously described, the body of the clip 50 is provided with a plurality of relatively closely arranged bolt-receiving openings 59.

The form of the invention shown in Figure 7 provides an adjustable foot for the lower end of each jack body 10. The adjustable feet are identical, and accordingly only one has been illustrated in Figure 7. Against the outer faces of the lowermost struts 14 of each jack body is arranged an adjusting member 62 formed of flat material, preferably steel, and each adjusting member has its extremity toward the building turned outwardly as at 63. These ends 63 are secured to a foot 64, preferably of wood, by any suitable means preferably countersunk flat headed bolts 65. Each adjusting member 62 is provided with a plurality of relatively closely arranged openings 66 to receive the shanks of the adjacent bolts 16 and 19.

Operation The individual jack members 10 may be readily taken apart and assembled relatively flat for transportation, it merely being necessary to loosen some of the wing nuts of the bolts 19 and to remove certain of the other bolts. With the parts of each jack member 10 assembled, as shown in Figure l, the jack members readily may be separately placed in position for operation. From the inside of a building, the workman may open the window or windows 33 and project one of the jack members 10 through the window to the outside thereof, reaching around the window to place the jack member in proper position. With the window substantially opened, the foot or extremity 29 readily can be inserted through the space between the frame member 32 and window frame member 34. With the projection 29 engaged against the inner face of the flange 37, the jack member will be moved downwardly until the upper edge of the flange 38 (Figure 3) is arranged in the notch 27. Under such conditions, and with the post 11 of the jack member engaging the outer surface 12 of the wall, the flange 38 positively fixes the jack member against downward movement. At the same time, the foot or projection 29 prevents the top of the jack member from swinging outwardly. The other jack member at the opposite side of the window is similarly placed in position. The operator will now reach through the window with the successive boards 40, 41 and 42, and place them in position, thus fixing the relative positions of the jack members 10. The cleats 44 positively prevent the outer portions of the jack members from moving toward or away from each other. Since each cleat 44 is fixed to one of the boards and substantially fits the space 15, the jack members are prevented from swinging any appreciable distance in the same direction.

The operator may stand on either of the scaffold boards in glazing the windows from the outside, the windows during such operation being moved approximately to the position shown in Figure 2, almost entirely closed. Thus all of the pane-receiving openings are free and unobstructed and each window may be entirely glazed without the operators having to leave or move the jack structure.

Practically all casement and similar windows are crankoperated through means which is irreversible, the windows being fixed in any position in which they are placed by operation of the cranks. Therefore, with the frame 34 arranged in the position shown in Figure 2, the window 33 serves as means supplementing the scaffold boards and cleats to positively prevent movement of either jack member 10 inwardly from the frame of the window. Thus the structure is wholly safe for use in operation.

The uppermost scaffold board 40 obviously cannot move longitudinally because of the cleats 44 and outwardly movement of such scaffold board away from the building is prevented by the adjacent upwardly projecting ends of the braces 18. The bodies of these braces prevent similar movement of the lower boards 41 and 42.

After a glazing operation has been completed, it merely is necessary for the operator to step back into the building, lift and bring into the building the successive boards 40, 41 and 42, and then lift, remove and bring into the building the two jack members 10. Accordingly, it will be apparent that the mounting and dismounting of the structure is a matter requiring only a minute or two, and the device renders it wholly unnecessary to use extension ladders, swinging stages, etc., for completely glazing casement and similar windows.

The use of the window jack with some types of projected windows is substantially identical with the method described above, the window, when swung outwardly, rendering a horizontal frame member corresponding to the member 36 and the vertical frame members corresponding to the members 37, readily accessible for the connection of the clips 22 in the same manner as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Except for the metal clips and bolts, the entire device is constructed of wood and accordingly is relatively light. Inasmuch as the device is placed in position in sections, the workman is placed under no substantial strain in lifting and placing the various elements in position.

As previously stated, the device illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive is usable with all metal casement windows and with some types of projected windows or ventilators. Some types of projected windows are provided with arms pivotally connected to the metal window frame adjacent tne lower corners thereof, and such arms prevent the use of the clips shown in Figure 4, the oblique portions 26 of the clips striking the window arms. The clip shown in Figure 6 is intended for use with windows of such type, and it is preferred that such clip be made double-ended as shown so that the end portion constituted by elements 51, 52 and 53 will be usable in the manner previously described, while the other end may be used with projected windows having arms of the character referred to. Where it is desired to use the window jack with such projected type windows, the upper bolts 16 and 19 will be removed, the clip 50 will be turned end for end, and the bolts replaced. The offset portions 56 of the two clips will then bridge around the window arms without interference thereby. These arms are arranged closely adjacent the vertical window frame members and accordingly the extremities 57 of the clips are free to engage the vertical window frame members in the same manner that such members are engaged by the end 29 in Figure 2.

Where the windows are provided with projecting sills, the clips will be adjusted as may be necessary to extend the additional distance from the vertical post 11 to properly position the notches 27, 52 or 58 for engagement with the window frame in the manner described. Under such conditions, the posts 11, when vertically arranged, will have their lower ends spaced from the surface of the wall. The adjusting members 62 are used under such conditions. The lower bolts 16 and 19 are removed, whereupon the adjusting members 62 are placed in position as shown at the bottom of each jack body 10. The bolts are then replaced in the proper opennigs 66 so that the engaging face of each foot 64 will be spaced from the inner face of the adjacent post 11 a distance equal to the width of the sill. The posts 11, when the device is placed in position, will then be vertically arranged.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present device is quite simple in construction and highly efiicient in use for its intended purpose. Every pane-receiving opening of a casement or projected window is completely accessible to the glazier to permit a window to be wholly glazed without the workmans having to leave the window jack for any purpose. The fabrication of the device is extremely simple, being composed of few parts and the two jack members being identical in construction. Similarly, all of the scaffold boards 40 may be identical, thus facilitating the cutting and assembling of the parts thereof. The two clips 22 are also identical except for the placing of the notches 27. The bending operations for the two clips are identical, but the notches are cut in relatively opposite edges since the two clips are turned opposite to each other when placing them in position. The clips 50 are similarly formed relative to each other.

The offsetting of the clips as at 26 (and at 51, 55 and 56) permits the posts 11 to squarely engage against the wall of a building wholly outwardly of the window frames. The substantial number of openings 24 is provided for adjusting the distance of the foot or projection 29 from the inner faces of the posts 11 to accommodate the structure to buildings wherein the distance between the outer face of the wall and the inner faces of the flanges 37 of the windows varies.

While the invention has been particularly described in connection with its use for glazing windows, it obviously is not limited to such use. The jack structure conveniently and efliciently may be used when painting, caulking or washing windows.

I claim:

1. A window jack for use with a window having a window opening defined in part by a horizontal bottom frame member and side vertical frame members, comprising a jack structure having end portions adapted to be arranged against the outer face of a wall, and hangers carried by said end portions, said hangers projecting through said window opening adjacent said vertical frame members and having inner ends extending away from each other and engageable against said vertical frame members at the sides thereof facing into the building, the outer portions of said hangers being offset laterally outward with respect to the inner portions thereof whereby said end portions may be disposed adjacent the side edges of said window opening.

2. A window jack for a window having a window opening defined in part by a lower horizontal frame having an upstanding flange and side vertical frame members, comprising a pair of jack members each having a vertical post engageable against the outer surface of the wall, horizontally spaced supports connected to said post and extending outwardly therefrom, and brace means connecting said supports to one another at points spaced from said posts, a hanger formed of relatively rigid, fiat vertically arranged material fixed to each jack member and projecting therefrom toward the inside of a building adjacent one of said vertical frame members, each hanger bearing on the vertical flange of said horizontal frame member and having its inner end turned in a direction away from the other hanger to engage against the inner face of said vertical frame member, and a scaffold board extending between and supported at its ends on said supports, said board having a cleat therebeneath adjacent each end thereof arranged between the supports of one of said jack members.

3. A window jack for a window having a window opening defined in part by a lower horizontal frame having an upstanding flange and side vertical frame members, comprising a pair of jack members each having a vertical post engageable against the outer surface of the wall, horizontally spaced supports connected to said post and extending outwardly therefrom, and brace means connecting said supports to one another at points spaced from said posts, a pair of hangers formed of relatively rigid flat material vertically arranged and secured to the respective posts, said hangers extending through the window opening adjacent the respective vertical frame members and having their ends turned away from each other and engageable against said vertical frame members inwardly thereof, each hanger having its lower edge notched to receive the vertical flange of said lower frame member, and a scaflold board extending between said jack members and resting on the supports thereof, said scaffold board being provided therebeneath with a cleat adjacent each end thereof arranged in the space between the supports of one of said jack members.

4. A window jack for a window having a window opening defined in part by a horizontal frame member and vertically spaced side frame members, comprising a pair of jac bodies adapted to be arranged adjacent the wall of the building outwardly of the window, and a hanger carried by each jack body, each hanger comprising a portion fixed to the associated jack body, a portion inwardly of the jack body toward the window offset from and substantially paralleLto said first-named portion, and a laterally bent portion at its inner extremity engageable against one of the side frame members inwardly thereof, the offset portion of each hanger being notched in its lower edge to receive the horizontal frame member.

5. A window jack comprising a supporting frame adapted for use with similar frames to support a scaffold board, said frame comprising an end post engageable against the outer surface of a wall, a pair of supports connected to opposite sides of said post and extending outwardly therefrom substantially at right angles thereto, said supports adapted to support one end of a scaffold board with a cleat thereon positioned therebetween, brace means connecting said supports to each other at points spaced from said post, and a hanger secured to one of said supports and having means thereon for engaging the frame of a window.

6. A window jack comprising a structure having end portions engageable against the outer face of a building structure, hangers connected to said end portions and engageable with portions of a window frame to support said structure in position adjacent the window, horizontally spaced supports connected to said end portions and extending outwardly therefrom substantially at the level of the lower portion .of a window frame, additional horizontally spaced supports connected to said end portions in vertically spaced relation to said first mentioned supports and extending outwardly therefrom below the level of the lower portions of a window frame, each of said first and second mentioned horizontally spaced supports comprising a pair of supporting members arranged on opposite sides of the associated end portion in spaced apart relation, brace means connecting the supports associated with each end portion, said brace means being positioned between said supporting members adjacent the outer ends thereof to serve as spacers therefore, and scaffold boards extending between and supported at their ends on said first and second mentioned horizontally spaced supports to provide vertically spaced working platforms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Cooper July 21, 1896 Volkerts May 11, 1897 7 8 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,814,090 Mically July 14, 1931 582,681 Pigneron May 18, 1897 5333f, fi ff g a f 2184457 Kruse "15cc 261939 e s ay 1,049,064 Edmonston Dec. 31, 1912 5 2348561 Stevens May 91 1944 1,558,425 gene]: 081. 20, 1925 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,757,396 mer' May 6, 1930 1,777,373 Lindlofi Oct. 7, 1930 5 222 g f1f 1,830,830 Federico Nov. 10, 1930 1 

